CD70 is Consistently Expressed in Primary and Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND

CD70 is commonly overexpressed in renal cell carcinoma and is minimally expressed in normal human tissue, making it a potential therapeutic target for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma. The expression frequency of CD70 in metastatic renal cell carcinoma is not well established.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We assessed CD70 immunohistochemistry in 391 primary renal tumors and 72 metastatic renal cell carcinomas on a tissue microarray including 26 sets of paired primary and metastatic tumors.

RESULTS

CD70 was frequently overexpressed in clear cell carcinoma, with a significantly lower expression rate in papillary renal cell carcinoma (P < .0001). No expression of CD70 was detected in other types of renal tumors and normal renal parenchyma. In clear cell renal cell carcinoma, CD70 expression was significantly correlated with hypoxia pathway proteins, corroborating with a recent study suggesting that CD70 is a downstream target gene of hypoxia-inducible factor. While higher expression levels were observed in males and non-Caucasians, CD70 expression was not associated with tumor grade, sarcomatoid differentiation, stage, or cancer-specific survival. Further, analysis of 26 paired primary and metastatic tumors from same individuals revealed a concordance rate of 85%.

CONCLUSION

Our findings validated CD70 as a promising therapeutic target for patients with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma. The utility of primary tumor tissue as surrogate samples for metastatic clear cell carcinoma awaits future CD70-targeted clinical trials.

Transcriptomic recurrence score improves recurrence prediction for surgically treated patients with intermediate-risk clear cell kidney cancer

BACKGROUND

Risk stratification of kidney cancer patients after nephrectomy may tailor surveillance intensity and selection for adjuvant therapy. Transcriptomic approaches are effective in predicting recurrence, but whether they add value to clinicopathologic models remains unclear.

METHODS

Data from patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) was downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Clinicopathologic variables were used to calculate SSIGN (stage, size, grade, and necrosis) scores. The 16 gene recurrence score (RS) signature was generated using RNA-seq data. Transcriptomic risk groups were calculated using the original thresholds. SSIGN groups were divided into low, intermediate, and high risk. Disease-free status was the primary endpoint assessed.

RESULTS

SSIGN and RS were calculated for 428 patients with non-metastatic ccRCC. SSIGN low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups demonstrated 2.7%, 15.2%, and 27.5%, 3-year recurrence risk, respectively. On multivariable analysis, the RS was associated with disease-free status (sub-distribution hazard ratio (sHR) 1.43 per 25 RS [95% CI (1.00-1.43)], p = 0.05). By risk groups, RS further risk stratified the SSIGN intermediate-risk group (sHR 2.22 [95% CI 1.10-4.50], p = 0.03). SSIGN intermediate-risk patients with low and high RS had a 3-year recurrence rate of 8.0% and 25.2%, respectively. Within this risk group, the area under the curve (AUC) at 3 years was 0.69 for SSIGN, 0.74 for RS, and 0.78 for their combination.

CONCLUSIONS

Transcriptomic recurrence scores improve risk prediction even when controlling for clinicopathologic factors. Utility may be best suited for intermediate-risk patients who have heterogeneous outcomes and further refinement for clinical utility is warranted.

"Real-world" outcomes and prognostic indicators among patients with high-risk muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

There is no current standard of care for patients with high-risk muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma (MIUC) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgical resection or for those who cannot receive or decline cisplatin-based perioperative chemotherapy. Understanding current, real-world treatment patterns may help inform decisions from clinical, research, and population health management perspectives. We examined real-world treatment patterns, survival outcomes, and prognostic factors among Medicare beneficiaries with high-risk MIUC who did not receive adjuvant treatment after surgical resection.

METHODS

We identified patients with high-risk MIUC in the linked Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database who underwent surgical resection (radical cystectomy and/or radical nephroureterectomy). Eligible patients had indicators of high-risk MIUC and surgical resection between 2001 and 2013. Demographic and clinical characteristics, including comorbidities, American Joint Commission on Cancer (AJCC) stage, tumor stage/grade and nodal status, and distribution of neoadjuvant treatment by the year of surgical resection were evaluated. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were assessed for the full cohort and by subgroups using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate patient demographics and clinical characteristics associated with OS and DFS.

RESULTS

A total of 665 patients were included in the analysis, with a mean age of 75.5 years; most were men (61%) and had AJCC stage IIIA disease (69%). Neoadjuvant treatment increased over the entire study period, both overall (from 12% to 46%) and cisplatin based (from 5% to 38%). Median OS for the entire cohort was 23.1 months (95% confidence interval: 18, 27); median DFS was 13.5 months (95% confidence interval: 11.3, 16.8). AJCC stage IIIB/IVA was the most significant predictor of poor prognosis for both OS and DFS, followed by non-white race and comorbidity burden.

CONCLUSION

The prognosis for high-risk patients with MIUC remains poor, with significant risk of mortality within 2 years of radical cystectomy despite increasing use of neoadjuvant treatment. Unmet treatment needs persist for this difficult-to-treat patient population despite the increasing use of cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Long-Term Survival after Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation of Pathologically Proven Renal Cell Carcinoma in 100 Patients

PURPOSE

To determine the long-term survival of patients treated with percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) ablation for pathologically proven renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this single-center retrospective study, 100 patients with 125 RCCs (100 clear-cell, 19 papillary, and 6 chromophobe) 0.8-8 cm in size treated with RF ablation were evaluated at a single large tertiary-care center between 2004 and 2015. Technical success, primary and secondary technique efficacy, and pre- and postprocedural estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at 3-6 months and 2-3 years were recorded. Overall survival, cancer-specific survival, and local tumor progression-free survival were calculated by Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Complications were classified per the Clavien-Dindo system. Statistical testing was done via χ² tests for proportions and paired t test for changes in eGFR. Statistical significance was set at α = 0.05.

RESULTS

Overall technical success rate was 100%, and primary and secondary technique efficacy rates were 90% and 100%, respectively. Median follow-up was 62.8 months, ranging from 1 to 120 months. The 10-year overall, cancer-specific, and local progression-free survival rates were 32%, 86%, and 92%, respectively. The number of ablation probes used was predictive of residual unablated tumor (P < .001). There were no significant changes in preprocedure vs 2-3-years postprocedure eGFR (65.2 vs 62.1 mL/min/1.73 m²; P = .443). There was a 9% overall incidence of complications, the majority of which were grade I.

CONCLUSIONS

Image-guided percutaneous RF ablation of RCCs is effective at achieving local control and preventing cancer-specific death within 10 years from initial treatment.

Abstract CT095: A Phase Ib/IIa study of the BET bromodomain inhibitor ZEN-3694 in combination with enzalutamide in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC)

Background: Abiraterone (ABI) and enzalutamide (ENZ) have significant activity in mCRPC yet demonstrate frequent cross-resistance limiting efficacy of sequential androgen receptor (AR) targeting. Bromodomain extra terminal (BET) inhibitors (BETi) down-regulate the expression of putative drivers of ABI/ENZ resistance. ZEN-3694 is an orally bioavailable, potent, and selective BETi with significant anti-tumor activity in ENZ-resistant pre-clinical models. The safety and efficacy of ZEN-3694 in combination with ENZ was evaluated in a phase 1b/2a study in mCRPC (NCT02711956).

Methods: Patients (pts) were required to have progressive mCRPC, prior resistance to ABI and/or ENZ, and no prior chemotherapy for mCRPC. A 3 plus 3 dose escalation schema was utilized, with a starting daily oral dose of ZEN-3694 36 mg plus ENZ 160 mg. Dose expansion was conducted in parallel cohorts at low and high-dose ZEN-3694 (48 and 96 mg daily, respectively). The primary objective was determination of maximally tolerated dose (MTD); key secondary endpoints included time to radiographic progression (TTP) and pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters. Pharmacodynamic (PD) markers included whole blood RNA expression of BETi targets including MYC, IL-8, CCR1, and IL1RN.

Results: 64 pts were enrolled. The median age and PSA at study entry was 70 (range 47 - 89) and 25.9 (range 0.1 - 1701.8), respectively. At study entry, 24 (37.5%) of pts were resistant to ABI, 29 (45.3%) were resistant to ENZ, and 11 (17.2%) to both. ZEN-3694 dose levels ranged from 36 mg to 144 mg daily without reaching a MTD. The most common treatment-related adverse events (AEs) (any grade) included transient photophobia (66%), nausea (40%), fatigue (31%), decreased appetite (22%), and dysgeusia (16%). Grade ≥ 3 related AEs (N = 8) and dose-limiting toxicities (N = 1 at 96 mg dose level) were uncommon. No Grade ≥ 3 thrombocytopenia was observed. Exposure to ZEN-3694 increased with dose without significant drug-drug interaction with ENZ. PD analyses demonstrated exposure-dependent, up to 4-fold decrease in expression of BETi targets. RNA-Seq of paired tumor biopsies demonstrated suppression of BET-dependent genes. The overall median TTP was 44.4 weeks, and was similar in subgroups with prior ABI vs. ENZ resistance. Durable responses were observed, including 3 pts with disease primarily refractory to ABI on study treatment for 21.3 +, 20.8 +, and 17.3 months, respectively, with &gt; 90% decline in serum PSA. Early transitory serum PSA increases were associated with longer TTP.

Conclusions: ZEN-3694 demonstrates an acceptable safety and PK profile, robust target modulation, and encouraging disease stabilization in combination with ENZ in ABI/ENZ-refractory mCRPC. Analysis of paired metastatic tumor biopsies, circulating tumor cells and ctDNA is ongoing. Further investigation of the combination is warranted.

Citation Format: Rahul Aggarwal, Wassim Abida, Michael Schweizer, Allan Pantuck, David Nanus, Elisabeth Heath, Sanjay Lakhotia, Henrik Hansen, Michael Silverman, Lisa Bauman, Margo Snyder, Eric Campeau, Karen Norek, Sarah Attwell, Marie O'Farrell, Steve Smith, Philip Wegge, Ravi Jahagirdar, Joshi Alumkal. A Phase Ib/IIa study of the BET bromodomain inhibitor ZEN-3694 in combination with enzalutamide in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr CT095.

The effect of tumor size and location on efficacy and safety of US- and CT- guided percutaneous microwave ablation in renal cell carcinomas

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of size and central location of the tumor on safety and efficacy of percutaneous CEUS- and CT-guided MWA in biopsy-proven renal cell carcinomas (RCCs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this IRB-approved retrospective study, 69 biopsy-proven renal tumors in 56 patients, who underwent MWA in our institution from January 2013 to March 2017, were evaluated. Data collection included demographics, tumor characteristics, procedural protocols, and follow-up visits within 6 months post procedure. Primary outcomes were assessed by technical success (TS), local tumor progression (LTP), and complications. The Kaplan-Meier analysis was used for survival rate.

RESULTS

Overall technical success was achieved for all 69 lesions (92.8% primary TS, 100% overall). Median nephrometry score was 8 (4-11) and median tumor size was 2.5 cm (0.8-7). Five lesions which required second ablation had significantly higher median tumor size 4 cm (P = 0.039) with the same nephrometry score. Renal function remained stable with no significant change in eGFR before or after ablation. The LTP rate was 5.8%. The most recurrent tumors were clear cell (50%) followed by papillary tumors (25%). The complication rate was 5.8% with minor complications (hematoma and pain) and no major issues. There was no significant association between nephrometry score and technical success, recurrence, or complication rates. Overall and tumor-specific survival rates were 96.7% and 100% at 11.9 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Image-guided MWA appears to be a safe and effective treatment regardless of nephrometry score and tumor location with high technical success, low recurrence, and complication rates.

Active Smoking Is Associated With Worse Prognosis in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients Treated With Targeted Therapies

BACKGROUND

Smoking increases the risk of developing renal cell carcinoma (RCC) but the effect of tobacco consumption on survival outcome of patients with metastatic RCC (mRCC) treated with targeted therapies has not been well characterized.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The primary outcome was overall survival (OS) and secondary outcome was progression-free survival (PFS). Patients with mRCC were categorized as current, former, and nonsmokers at the time of starting targeted therapy. Smoking data from 1980 patients with mRCC treated with targeted therapy were collected through the International mRCC Database Consortium (IMDC) from 12 international cancer centers.

RESULTS

Although former and nonsmokers had comparable OS times (23.8 vs. 23.4 months; P = .898), current smokers had significantly shorter OS (16.1 months; P < .001) than nonsmokers. Current but not former smoking status was an independent poor prognosis factor (hazard ratio [HR], 1.3; P = .002) when adjusted for the IMDC risk criteria. Each pack-year increased the risk of death by 1% (HR, 1.01; P = .036). The duration of first-line therapy response was not different and was 7.7 months versus 7.5 months versus 6.4 months in never, former (P = .609), and current smokers (P = .839), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Active smoking is associated with diminished OS in mRCC patients treated with targeted therapy agents. However, patients who quit smoking returned to a similar risk of death from RCC compared with patients who never smoked. Smoking cessation should be a counseling priority among mRCC patients receiving targeted agents and smoking should be considered as a confounding factor in major clinical trials.

Receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK)-mediated induction of metastatic spread and association with poor prognosis in renal cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Inhibition of the receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) has become a standard of care supportive treatment to prevent skeletal related events in cancer patients. Moreover, RANKL inhibition has been implicated with better survival outcome in lung cancer, while RANKL expression induces tumor progression and metastatic spread in vivo in breast cancer. Whether RANK/RANKL may have an impact on the pathogenesis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is currently unknown.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective tissue micro array (TMA)-study was carried out determining the expression of RANK/RANKL in primary tumors of 306 ccRCC patients. Additionally, 24 ccRCC cell lines were employed for in vitro analyses of the RANK/RANKL axis including cell proliferation, migration and anchorage independent growth.

RESULTS

RANK (+) vs. RANK (-) tumors had both worse cancer specific survival (CSS) (6.3 vs. 1.3 years; p < 0.001) and recurrence free survival (RFS) (9.9 vs. 5.8 years; p < 0.001). RANK (+) (HR 2.21; p < 0.001) was an independent prognostic factor for CSS and RFS (HR 4.98; p < 0.001). RANKL treatment resulted in increased proliferation, soft agar growth, and colony formation of RANK (+) RCC cell lines, which could be reversed by treatment with an NF-κB inhibitor and with a combination of osteoprotegrin and RANKL in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

RANK is expressed in ccRCC tissue, correlates with clinicopathological features, survival outcome, and when stimulated with RANKL can induce ccRCC progression in vitro. Consequently, RANKL inhibition combined with standard of care treatment may be a promising approach to improve ccRCC patient's survival.

Percutaneous image-guided core biopsy of solid renal masses: analysis of safety, efficacy, pathologic interpretation, and clinical significance

PURPOSE

To determine the efficacy, safety and clinical utility of CT and US-guided percutaneous renal mass biopsy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective IRB-approved, HIPAA-compliant study of a cohort of 183 consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous, CT or US-guided renal mass biopsy (RMB) from March 2002 through December 2012 was performed. RMB was performed in 183 consecutive patients for suspected solid renal mass of whom 14/183 (7.7%) were excluded because biopsies were performed at an outside institution, medical records were incomplete, or lesions were poorly visualized. Ten patients had multiple biopsies for new growing masses. Using US, CT or CT/US fusion-guidance, a 17G or 19G cannula needle was placed at the margin of the mass and an 18G or 20G core biopsy gun was used to obtain several tissue cores. Renal parenchymal biopsies for medical renal diseases were excluded. Imaging variables (including size, location, and extent of disease), number of core biopsies, patient demographics (age, gender), clinical indication, final pathologic diagnosis, immunohistochemical (IHC) studies, and subsequent final pathological diagnosis on nephrectomy were evaluated.

RESULTS

Of the 169 patients with 184 RMB, 121/169 (71.6%) were male with a mean age of 67.5 years. Of 184 RMB, 126 were malignant [126/184 (68.5%)], 37 [37/184 (20.1%)], were benign, and 21 (21/184 (11.4%) were nondiagnostic. IHC was performed in 131 biopsies (71.1%) and was diagnostic in 88.5% of those cases. Twenty-eight patients underwent subsequent partial nephrectomy; in 27/27 (100%) cases, RMB was concordant with nephrectomy for malignancy and in 21/27 (77.8%) RMB was concordant for subtype of RCC. Overall, the RMB sensitivity for detection of malignancy, specificity, and positive predictive value were 100%. The negative predictive value of benign RMB diagnosis was also 100%. There was a total of 14 (7.6%) complications, 13 minor (7.1%) and 1 major (0.5%). Of the minor complications, ten (5.5%) were postprocedural minor hematomas that resolved conservatively; one (0.5%) postprocedural vasovagal reaction; one (0.5%) episode of hematuria; and one (0.5%) episode of nausea and abdominal discomfort. No cases of renal pseudoaneurysm or tumor seeding attributed to biopsy were identified.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous image-guided RMB is safe and highly diagnostic when combined with IHC and supports a greater role of RMB and imaging in evaluating renal masses when rendering appropriate treatments.

Efficacy of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation may vary with clear cell renal cell cancer histologic subtype

PURPOSE

The purpose of the study is to determine if clear cell renal cell cancer (RCC) subtype predicts efficacy in percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) ablation of RCC.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Patients who underwent percutaneous RF ablation for histologically proven RCC subtypes were retrospectively reviewed. Group comparisons were done using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine factors impacting primary, secondary, and total technique effectiveness. A p value less than 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

One hundred pathologically proven RCC lesions in 84 patients were analyzed. The median (mean) follow-up was 24 (27) months (range 1-106 months). Overall RF ablation primary, secondary and total technique effectiveness was 86%, 9%, and 95%, respectively. Clear cell subtype demonstrated worse treatment efficacy with primary, secondary, and total technique effectiveness of 42/55 (76.4%), 8/55 (14.5%), and 50/55 (90.9%), respectively. Non-clear cell subtypes had primary, secondary, and total technique effectiveness of 44/45(97.8%), 1/45 (2.2%), 45/45 (100%), respectively. The difference in primary (p = 0.002), secondary (p = 0.032), and total (p = 0.038) technique effectiveness between the two groups was statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Clear cell RCC was a novel predictor of primary, secondary, and total technique efficacy in the percutaneous RF ablation of clear cell RCC.

Adjuvant Therapy for High Risk Localized Kidney Cancer: Emerging Evidence and Future Clinical Trials

PURPOSE

We reviewed the literature on adjuvant therapies for patients with high risk localized kidney cancer following surgical resection. In this analysis we merge 2 recently published prospective trials with conflicting results within the context of their respective designs. In addition, we spotlight upcoming trials that use novel immunotherapy based checkpoint inhibitors and have the potential to establish a new standard of care.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched PubMed^® for English language articles published through January 2017 using the keywords "renal cell carcinoma," "kidney cancer," "immunotherapy," "targeted therapy" and "adjuvant therapy." ClinicalTrials.gov was queried for ongoing studies. Relevant data recently presented at major urology and medical oncology meetings are also included.

RESULTS

Adjuvant therapies for high risk localized kidney cancer can be grouped into the categories of 1) traditional immunotherapy, 2) inhibitors of the vascular endothelial growth factor and mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) pathways, 3) vaccines and antibody dependent cytotoxic agents, and 4) immune checkpoint inhibitors. Several trials of traditional immunotherapy, such as interferon-α and high dose interleukin-2, failed to demonstrate benefit as adjuvant treatment and were associated with significant adverse events. Vascular endothelial growth factor and mTOR inhibitors have less severe toxicity in metastatic disease and, therefore, are natural considerations for adjuvant trials. However, current data are conflicting. The ASSURE (Sunitinib Malate or Sorafenib Tosylate in Treating Patients with Kidney Cancer that was Removed by Surgery, NCT00326898) trial found no recurrence-free survival benefit of sorafenib or sunitinib over placebo, while S-TRAC (Clinical Trial Comparing Efficacy and Safety of Sunitinib versus Placebo for the Treatment of Patients at High Risk of Recurrent Renal Cell Cancer, NCT00375674) revealed that 1 year of sunitinib improved recurrence-free survival by 1.2 years. Vaccine based treatments and antibody dependent cytotoxic agents have had mixed results. New trials evaluating immune checkpoint inhibitors are planned, given the impressive efficacy and tolerability as second line agents in metastatic disease. Future adjuvant trials are likely to be guided by molecular signatures to treat patients most likely to benefit.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the available data, there appears to be no role for traditional immunotherapy as adjuvant treatment in patients with high risk localized kidney cancer following surgical resection. S-TRAC provides evidence that 1 year of adjuvant sunitinib in patients with higher risk locoregional disease increases the median time to recurrence. However, the data on overall survival are immature and adverse effects are common. Results from trials investigating immune checkpoint inhibitors are highly anticipated.

Focal Laser Ablation of Prostate Cancer: Feasibility of Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Ultrasound Fusion for Guidance

PURPOSE

Focal laser ablation is a potential treatment in some men with prostate cancer. Currently focal laser ablation is performed by radiologists in a magnetic resonance imaging unit (in bore). We evaluated the safety and feasibility of performing focal laser ablation in a urology clinic (out of bore) using magnetic resonance imaging-ultrasound fusion for guidance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 11 men with intermediate risk prostate cancer were enrolled in this prospective, institutional review board approved pilot study. Magnetic resonance imaging-ultrasound fusion was used to guide laser fibers transrectally into regions of interest harboring intermediate risk prostate cancer. Thermal probes were inserted for real-time monitoring of intraprostatic temperatures during laser activation. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (3 Tesla) was done immediately after treatment and at 6 months along with comprehensive fusion biopsy.

RESULTS

Ten of 11 patients were successfully treated while under local anesthesia. Mean procedure time was 95 minutes (range 71 to 105). Posttreatment magnetic resonance imaging revealed a confined zone of nonperfusion in all 10 men. Mean zone volume was 4.3 cc (range 2.1 to 6.0). No CTCAE grade 3 or greater adverse events developed and no changes were observed in urinary or sexual function. At 6 months magnetic resonance imaging-ultrasound fusion biopsy of the treatment site showed no cancer in 3 patients, microfocal Gleason 3 + 3 in another 3 and persistent intermediate risk prostate cancer in 4.

CONCLUSIONS

Focal laser ablation of prostate cancer appears safe and feasible with the patient under local anesthesia in a urology clinic using magnetic resonance imaging-ultrasound fusion for guidance and thermal probes for monitoring. Further development is necessary to refine out of bore focal laser ablation and additional studies are needed to determine appropriate treatment margins and oncologic efficacy.

Sustained-release Formulation of Mitomycin C to the Upper Urinary Tract Using a Thermosensitive Polymer: A Preclinical Study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and feasibility of single and serial instillations of MitoGel into the upper urinary tract using a preclinical swine animal model. MitoGel is a novel sustained release formulation of mitomycin C (MMC) based on RTGel, a proprietary thermosensitive hydrogel technology. MitoGel is liquid at cold temperatures and solidifies to gel state at body temperature. It is intended as a treatment for upper tract urothelial carcinoma, given its ability to provide sustained release of MMC in the upper urinary tract.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We utilized 23 pigs in a 3-phase design. All animals underwent bilateral nephrostomy tube placement. During phase 1, 3 animals underwent antegrade RTGel instillation, imaging, and euthanasia within 12 hours. In phase 2, 10 pigs underwent single antegrade instillation, unilateral nephrectomy 3 days following instillation, and contralateral nephrectomy and euthanasia 30 days following instillation. During phase 3, 10 animals underwent 6 instillations over 3 weeks, followed by bilateral nephrectomy and necropsy 30 days postinstillation. MitoGel (2 mg/mL and 4 mg/mL), aqueous MMC (2 mg/mL and 4 mg/mL), and RTGel alone were evaluated.

RESULTS

MitoGel remained visible within the pelvicalyceal system on fluoroscopic and computed tomography imaging for 4-6 hours. MMC plasma levels were well within acceptable safety thresholds. There was no evidence of urinary obstruction, acute kidney injury, sepsis, or myelosuppression. Histologic changes in the urinary system were mild and transient.

CONCLUSION

Antegrade MitoGel delivery to the pelvicalyceal system of Yorkshire swine is feasible and safe. Further evaluation of MitoGel in human clinical trials is warranted.

Immunotherapy for the Treatment of Urothelial Carcinoma

PURPOSE

We review the biological mechanisms of action, clinical safety and efficacy of immunotherapies for urothelial carcinoma. We also describe current areas of research in immunotherapy, and highlight ongoing trials and promising and novel investigational agents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data were obtained by a search of PubMed®, ClinicalTrials.gov and Cochrane databases for English language articles published through February 2016. Applicable abstracts from recent Society of Urologic Oncology, European Association of Urology, American Urological Association and ASCO® meetings were used.

RESULTS

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin is one of the most successful immunotherapies in cancer treatment and remains the gold standard of care for patients with high risk, nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer, with initial response rates of approximately 70%. However, with the exception of valrubicin and standard chemotherapeutics there is a paucity of available treatment options for patients with recurrence or progression to more advanced disease. Recently there has been significant interest in novel immunotherapeutic agents in the management of cases where bacillus Calmette-Guérin fails, as well as cases of more advanced cancer. These investigational therapies can generally be classified into several broad categories, including recombinant bacillus Calmette-Guérin and cell wall derived therapies, cytokines, gene therapy, cancer vaccines, immune checkpoint inhibitors, oncolytic viruses, adoptive immunotherapies and immune agonists, as well as several additional immunomodulatory agents. The majority of these agents are currently under investigation in phase I or II clinical trials. Recently investigators reported evidence that inhibition of the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway has clinical activity in patients with advanced bladder cancer. These findings, along with successful phase III trials and U.S. Food and Drug Administration approvals of other checkpoint inhibitors in melanoma, nonsmall cell lung cancer and renal cell carcinoma, ultimately led to Food and Drug Administration approval of atezolizumab for advanced disease, the first new treatment approved for advanced urothelial carcinoma in 20 years.

CONCLUSIONS

While bacillus Calmette-Guérin has demonstrated significant clinical efficacy in the treatment of patients with bladder cancer, additional therapies are needed for those in whom bacillus Calmette-Guérin fails, as well as for those with advanced disease. Immunotherapy for urothelial carcinoma remains a promising and active area of research, and numerous agents, particularly the monoclonal antibodies targeting checkpoint inhibition pathways, are showing encouraging signs of clinical activity.

Associations of immunity-related single nucleotide polymorphisms with overall survival among prostate cancer patients

The progression of prostate cancer is influenced by systemic inflammation, and may be attributed, in part, to genetic predisposition. Single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with the immune response may help mediate prostate cancer progression. We analyzed data from a hospital-based case-control study of 164 prostate cancer patients and 157 healthy male controls from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. We evaluated associations between six immunity-related polymorphisms (CRP rs1205 and rs1800947, FGFR2 rs1219648 and rs2981582, IFNGR1 rs11914, and IL10 rs1800871) and overall survival among prostate cancer patients, calculating adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using Cox proportional hazards regression. FGFR2 rs1219648 (GG vs. AA) and rs2981582 (TT vs. CC) polymorphisms were associated with more favorable overall survival (HR: 0.13, 95% CI: 0.03-0.62 and HR: 0.13, 95% CI: 0.03-0.53, respectively) in patients with primary prostate cancer. These observations highlight the need to validate and identify these and other immunity-related polymorphisms in larger studies examining survival of prostate cancer patients.

Multivariate analysis of the factors involved in loss of renal differential function after laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: a role for warm ischemia time

Background: Partial nephrectomy (PN) is now the gold standardfor the surgical treatment of small renal masses. We evaluated theeffect of WIT and other factors on RDF assessed by preoperativeand postoperative renal scintigraphy.Methods: Between 2003 and 2008, 182 consecutive laparoscopicPN (LPN) were performed in an academic centre. Among those,56 had mercaptoacetyl triglycine (MAG3) lasix renal scintigraphypreoperatively and postoperatively.Results: Medians for age, preoperative estimated glomerular filtrationrate and computed tomography scan tumour size were 62years, 82 mL/min/1.73m2 and 26 mm, respectively. Median WITand preoperative RDF were 30 minutes and 50%, respectively.Median loss of RDF after surgery was 14%. Linear regression curvesshowed that loss in RDF rate was 0.2% per minute when WIT was<30 minutes and 0.7% per minute when WIT was ≥30 minutes.In multivariate analysis, length of WIT and endophytic tumourlocation were associated with a statistically significant loss of RDF(p < 0.05), but only in the group who experienced >30 minutesof WIT.Interpretation: Our results suggest that the factors associated withloss of RDF are not the same before and after 30 minutes of WITand that the rate of loss in RDF increases after 30 minutes. Since,the effect of WIT is small up to 30 minutes, we believe that surgeryshould focus on limiting the resection of normal parenchymaand to ensure negative margins and hemostasis, rather than onpremature unclamping.

Abiraterone in metastatic prostate cancer without previous chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Abiraterone acetate, an androgen biosynthesis inhibitor, improves overall survival in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer after chemotherapy. We evaluated this agent in patients who had not received previous chemotherapy.

METHODS

In this double-blind study, we randomly assigned 1088 patients to receive abiraterone acetate (1000 mg) plus prednisone (5 mg twice daily) or placebo plus prednisone. The coprimary end points were radiographic progression-free survival and overall survival.

RESULTS

The study was unblinded after a planned interim analysis that was performed after 43% of the expected deaths had occurred. The median radiographic progression-free survival was 16.5 months with abiraterone-prednisone and 8.3 months with prednisone alone (hazard ratio for abiraterone-prednisone vs. prednisone alone, 0.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.45 to 0.62; P<0.001). Over a median follow-up period of 22.2 months, overall survival was improved with abiraterone-prednisone (median not reached, vs. 27.2 months for prednisone alone; hazard ratio, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.61 to 0.93; P=0.01) but did not cross the efficacy boundary. Abiraterone-prednisone showed superiority over prednisone alone with respect to time to initiation of cytotoxic chemotherapy, opiate use for cancer-related pain, prostate-specific antigen progression, and decline in performance status. Grade 3 or 4 mineralocorticoid-related adverse events and abnormalities on liver-function testing were more common with abiraterone-prednisone.

CONCLUSIONS

Abiraterone improved radiographic progression-free survival, showed a trend toward improved overall survival, and significantly delayed clinical decline and initiation of chemotherapy in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. (Funded by Janssen Research and Development, formerly Cougar Biotechnology; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00887198.).

Applicability of a disposable home urinary flow measuring device as a diagnostic tool in the management of males with lower urinary tract symptoms

INTRODUCTION

To investigate the accuracy of uroflowmetry with disposable Q(Single) compared to measurements with a home-based digital device and compared to a single clinical measurement.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

60 men with lower urinary tract symptoms were included in a prospective, open-label, multicenter study. Uroflowmetry measurements were done using three devices/methods: single clinic-based method, followed by up to 12 measurements using the disposable home-based Q(Single) and up to 12 measurements using a home-based digital device. Subjective data on ease of use of Q(Single) and preference of patients was investigated and objective measures of Q(max) and voided volume from the three devices were compared.

RESULTS

Mean Q(max) values of 12, 13 and 16 ml/s were achieved with the Q(Single) device, standard clinic method, and digital device, respectively. Mean Q(max) obtained with the Q(Single) device did not differ from that obtained with the clinic method. A significantly higher mean Q(max) was recorded for the digital device. Mean voided volumes recorded with each device differed marginally. Handling capabilities of the Q(Single) device were considered good by all subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

The accuracy of Q(max) and voided volume mean measurements with Q(Single) was comparable to one standard clinic recording. Q(Single) offers a viable alternative to reduce the number of clinic visits and can be used by other caregivers.

Abdominal Colpopexy: Comparison of Endoscopic Surgical Strategies (ACCESS)

INTRODUCTION

Robotic assistance during laparoscopic surgery for pelvic organ prolapse rapidly disseminated across the United States without level I data to support its benefit over traditional open and laparoscopic approaches [1]. This manuscript describes design and methodology of the Abdominal Colpopexy: Comparison of Endoscopic Surgical Strategies (ACCESS) Trial.

METHODS

ACCESS is a randomized comparative effectiveness trial enrolling patients at two academic teaching facilities, UCLA (Los Angeles, CA) and Loyola University (Chicago, IL). The primary aim is to compare costs of robotic assisted versus pure laparoscopic abdominal sacrocolpopexy (RASC vs LASC). Following a clinical decision for minimally-invasive abdominal sacrocolpopexy (ASC) and research consent, participants with symptomatic stage≥II pelvic organ prolapse are randomized to LASC or RASC on the day of surgery. Costs of care are based on each patient's billing record and equipment costs at each hospital. All costs associated with surgical procedure including costs for robot and initial hospitalization and any re-hospitalization in the first 6weeks are compared between groups. Secondary outcomes include post-operative pain, anatomic outcomes, symptom severity and quality of life, and adverse events. Power calculation determined that 32 women in each arm would provide 95% power to detect a $2500 difference in total charges, using a two-sided two sample t-test with a significance level of 0.05.

RESULTS

Enrollment was completed in May 2011. The 12-month follow-up was completed in May 2012.

CONCLUSIONS

This is a multi-center study to assess cost as a primary outcome in a comparative effectiveness trial of LASC versus RASC.

Multivariate analysis of the factors involved in loss of renal differential function after laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: a role for warm ischemia time

BACKGROUND

Partial nephrectomy (PN) is now the gold standard for the surgical treatment of small renal masses. We evaluated the effect of WIT and other factors on RDF assessed by preoperative and postoperative renal scintigraphy.

METHODS

Between 2003 and 2008, 182 consecutive laparoscopic PN (LPN) were performed in an academic centre. Among those, 56 had mercaptoacetyl triglycine (MAG3) lasix renal scintigraphy preoperatively and postoperatively.

RESULTS

Medians for age, preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate and computed tomography scan tumour size were 62 years, 82 mL/min/1.73m(2) and 26 mm, respectively. Median WIT and preoperative RDF were 30 minutes and 50%, respectively. Median loss of RDF after surgery was 14%. Linear regression curves showed that loss in RDF rate was 0.2% per minute when WIT was <30 minutes and 0.7% per minute when WIT was ≥30 minutes. In multivariate analysis, length of WIT and endophytic tumour location were associated with a statistically significant loss of RDF (p < 0.05), but only in the group who experienced >30 minutes of WIT.

INTERPRETATION

Our results suggest that the factors associated with loss of RDF are not the same before and after 30 minutes of WIT and that the rate of loss in RDF increases after 30 minutes. Since, the effect of WIT is small up to 30 minutes, we believe that surgery should focus on limiting the resection of normal parenchyma and to ensure negative margins and hemostasis, rather than on premature unclamping.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms of 8 inflammation-related genes and their associations with smoking-related cancers

Tobacco smoke and its metabolites are carcinogens that increase tissue oxidative stress and induce target tissue inflammation. We hypothesized that genetic variation of inflammatory pathway genes plays a role in tobacco-related carcinogenesis and is modified by tobacco smoking. We evaluated the association of 12 single nucleotide polymorphisms of 8 inflammation-related genes with tobacco-related cancers (lung, oropharynx, larynx, esophagus, stomach, liver, bladder, and kidney) using 3 case-control studies from: Los Angeles (population-based; 611 lung and 553 upper aero-digestive tract cancer cases and 1,040 controls), Taixing, China (population-based; 218 esophagus, 206 stomach, 204 liver cancer cases, and 415 controls), and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (hospital-based; 227 bladder cancer cases and 211 controls). After adjusting for age, education, ethnicity, gender, and tobacco smoking, IL10 rs1800871 was inversely associated with oropharyngeal cancer (CT+TT vs. CC adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.69, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.50-0.95), and was positively associated with lung cancer among never smokers (TT vs. CT+CC aOR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.3-5.1) and inversely with oropharyngeal cancer among ever smokers (CT+TT vs. CC aOR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.41-0.95). Among all pooled never smokers (588 cases and 816 controls), TNF rs1799964 was inversely associated with smoking-related cancer (CC vs. CT+TT aOR: 0.36, 95% CI: 0.17-0.77). Bayesian correction for multiple comparisons suggests that chance is unlikely to explain our findings (although epigenetic mechanisms may be in effect), which support our hypotheses, suggesting that IL10 rs1800871 is a susceptibility marker for oropharyngeal and lung cancers, and that TNF rs1799964 is associated with smoking-related cancers among never smokers.

Associations between NBS1 polymorphisms, haplotypes and smoking-related cancers

Constituents of tobacco smoke can cause DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), leading to tumorigenesis. The NBS1 gene product is a vital component in DSB detection and repair, thus genetic variations may influence cancer development. We examined the associations between NBS1 polymorphisms and haplotypes and newly incident smoking-related cancers in three case-control studies (Los Angeles: 611 lung and 601 upper aero-digestive tract (UADT) cancer cases and 1040 controls; Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: 227 bladder cancer cases and 211 controls and Taixing, China: 218 esophagus, 206 stomach, 204 liver cancer cases and 415 controls). rs1061302 was associated with cancers of the lung [adjusted odds ratio (OR(adj)) = 1.6, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2, 2.4], larynx (OR(adj) = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.32, 0.97) and liver (OR(adj) = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.0, 2.9). Additionally, positive associations were found for rs709816 with bladder cancer (OR(adj) = 4.2, 95% CI: 1.4, 12) and rs1063054 with lung cancer (OR(adj) = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.0, 2.3). Some associations in lung and stomach cancers varied with smoking status. CAC haplotype was positively associated with smoking-related cancers: lung (OR(adj) = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1, 2.9) and UADT (OR(adj) = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.1, 3.7), specifically, oropharynx (OR(adj) = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.0, 4.2) and larynx (OR(adj) = 4.8, 95% CI: 1.7, 14). Bayesian false-discovery probabilities were calculated to assess Type I error. It appears that NBS1 polymorphisms and haplotypes may be associated with smoking-related cancers and that these associations may differ by smoking status. Our findings also suggest that single-nucleotide polymorphisms located in the binding region of the MRE-RAD50-NBS1 complex or microRNA targeted pathways may influence tumor development. These hypotheses should be further examined in functional studies.